The 1997–98 NBA season was the Hawks' 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 30th season in Atlanta. Due to the demolition of The Omni, the Hawks played their home games at the Georgia Dome, and their original home from 1968 to 1972, the Alexander Memorial Coliseum (known as McDonald's Center at the time). The Hawks got off to a fast start winning their first eleven games, but later on struggled posting a 7-game losing streak between December and January. They finished fourth in the Central Division with a solid 50–32 record. Dikembe Mutombo was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive time, and was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game along with Steve Smith, while forward Alan Henderson won the Most Improved Player of The Year award. However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Hawks lost in four games to the Charlotte Hornets.

On March 27, 1998, the Hawks set a single game regular season attendance record of 62,046 fans in a game against the Chicago Bulls at the Georgia Dome. However, they lost 89–74. Following the season, Christian Laettner signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons, and Eldridge Recasner signed with the Charlotte Hornets.

(4) Charlotte Hornets vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks Last playoff meeting: This was the first meeting between the Hornets and Hawks.

...
Wikipedia